National Trust Properties

National Trust properties visited in 2015/2016.

The trust was founded in 1895 and given statutory powers, starting with the National Trust Act 1907. Historically, the trust tended to focus on English country houses, which still make up the largest part of its holdings, but it also protects historic landscapes such as in the Lake District, historic urban properties, and nature reserves. Wikipedia.

As a result of a gift of National Trust Membership many pleasent days out were enjoyed at properties in the south of England. Also visited were the the Dolaucothi Gold Mines during a holiday in Wales. Sadly no nuggets of gold were found….

Click on any thumbnail below to view the photographs from the visits to the various National Trust properties.

This way to the Dolaucothi Gold Mines!!!!

Compressors at the Dolaucothi Gold Mines. Compressed air was a relatively safe and portable means of power in the mines

Entrance to the Dolaucothi Gold Mines. Note the rock formation.

Uppark House in April of 2015

Ghostly image from Uppark House

Uppark House tea rooms

View looking south from Uppark House

Petworth House with a deer about to make a dash across the front of the house. A dozen or more soon followed!

Petworth House in September 2015

Autumn colours at Petworth House 2015

Just finished decoratng the stairs and landing…. Petworth House

Marble floor at Petworth House

Stunning Autumn colours at Petworth House

Vaulted cellar at Mottisfont Abbey

Gate keepers house at Mottisfont Abbey

Riverside walk at Mottisfont Abbey

Mottisfont Abbey is a historical priory and country estate in Hampshire, England. Sheltered in the valley of the River Test

Kingston Lacy’s Philae Obelisk, with the house in the background. The Philae obelisk is one of two obelisks found at Philae in Upper Egypt in 1815 and acquired by William John Bankes

KIngston Lacy house, January 2016

Cyclamen at Kingston Lacy. A touch of colour on a grey January day

Approach to Kingston Lacy house

Looking out over the gardens at KIngston Lacy

Kingston Lacy, September 2015. Still some colour and warmth left.

Kingston Lacy, September 2015

Marrigolds at Kingsotn Lacy kitchen garden, September 2015

Close by Hinton Ampner

Hinton Ampner on a bright winters day, February 2015

Unusual shaped hedge at Hinton Ampner. Battle of Cheriton 1644 From this spot it would have been possible to witness a significant battle of the English Civil War, a conflict which divided families and friends. Parliamentary troops under Sir William Waller clashed with an army of Cavaliers loyal to King Charles I. The Royalist were led by Lord Hopton, a firm friend of Waller On a misty morning on Thursday 29th March 1644 Waller’s Roundhead, having camped in “the long low meade ajoining the Lady Stuckley’s house”, prepared to confront Hopton’s Cavaliers who had approached from the north. Sir William Waller himself had taken quarters in Hinton Ampner House, the home of Lady Stewkeley. From the windows of the house the unfortunate Lady Stewkeley could have had an almost grandstand view of the battle which began a ten in the morning amongst the hedges and coppices on the undulations which lay between the two armies. Before nightfall the Cavaliers had been defeated with such great losses that Lamborough Lane is said to have run with blood. It was a defeat from which the King’s cause never recovered. The Cavaliers withdrew, some to Alton, some to Winchester and some to Alresford, where they set fire to the town before marching to Basing.